Toronto: Netflix Secures Rights to Anna Kendrick’s Directorial Debut ‘Woman of the Hour’.
Following its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Netflix has acquired the rights to Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, ‘Woman of the Hour,’ for approximately $11 million, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter.
Netflix has secured both the U.S. and international distribution rights for this gripping true-life thriller, initially presented at TIFF a year ago by Anna Kendrick and AGC Studio’s CEO, Stuart Ford, responsible for production and financing.
CAA Media Finance managed the U.S. sales for the project, and it garnered considerable interest from various parties due to its compelling story, based on Ian MacDonald’s The Black List script. In addition to the U.S. rights, Netflix has acquired the film for multiple international territories, including France, Italy, Benelux, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and more.
Anna Kendrick plays a multifaceted role in ‘Woman of the Hour,’ serving as director, producer, and lead actress. She portrays Cheryl Bradshaw, a contestant on the popular 1970s TV matchmaking show, ‘The Dating Game.’ What starts as a seemingly enchanting date takes a chilling turn when the bachelor, Rodney Alcala, reveals his true identity as a psychopathic serial killer amidst a murder spree.
The film was filmed in Vancouver, with Kendrick playing Bradshaw, a struggling actor who makes the fateful decision to appear on the TV show, only to cross paths with Alcala. ‘Woman of the Hour’ arrived in Toronto without a pre-existing U.S. distribution agreement, making its debut screening at the Princess of Wales Theatre, a renowned venue for acquiring new titles.
Notably, Kendrick’s directorial debut, penned by Ian MacAllister McDonald, needed to adhere to a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, allowing for early negotiations with a streaming giant in the Toronto film sales market. Netflix’s acquisition of ‘Woman of the Hour’ marks the first significant film purchase during this year’s TIFF.
The cast of ‘Woman of the Hour’ also includes Tony Hale, Daniel Zovatto, and Nicolette Robinson, with producer credits shared among Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, and others.
As of September 11, 8 p.m., the deal between Netflix and the film’s rights has been officially confirmed.
